Electricity-meter.



A. WRIGHT.

ELECTRICITY METER.

(Application mea xay 2e, 1000.)

(No Model.) 58

Patented lune I7. |902.

3 Sheets-Sheet I.

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Patented lune I7, |902.

A. WRIGHT..

ELECTRICITY METER.

(Application tiled May 26, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 2.

(No Model.)

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0 Z l =E= am n Patented .lune I7, |902. A. WRIGHT. vELEGTRIIITY METER.

(Appuca'tion med may 2e, 1900.)

3 Sheets-Sheet 3.

(No Model.)

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J7?" ar UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ARTHUR IVRIGHT, OF BRIGHTON, ENGLAND, ASSIGNOR TO MUTUAL ELECTRIC TRUST,LIMITED, OF BRIGHTON, ENGLAND.

ELECTRICITY-METER.

SPECIFICATION' forming part of Letters Patent No. 702,844, dated June17, 1902.

Application iiled May 26, 1900. Serial No. 18,124. (No model.)

To all whom, it may-concern.-

Be it known lthat I, ARTHUR I/VRIGHT, a subject of the Queen of GreatBritain, and a resident of Brighton, in the county of Sussex, England,have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Electricity-Meters,of which the following is a specitication.

My invention relates to improvements in electricity-meters of theelectrolytic mercury type, by means ot which certain advantages areobtained. Meters of this type have hitherto been unsuccessful inpractice; but by means of the improvements constituting my presentinvention good results may be obtained.

In order that the principles of my invention may be readily understood,I have appended hereto tive sheets of drawings, in which similar lettersof reference indicate similar or equivalent parts. These drawingsillustrate by way of types or examples certain forms of my invention.

In the said drawings, Figure I is a diagrammatic illustration of asimple form of 'myinvention where a ground-glass stopper is employed.Fig. II is similar to Fig. I, but shows the anode-feeder. Fig. IIIcorresponds with Fig. I, but shows the main chamber of the meter assealed instead of having a glass stopper. Fig. IV illustrates what Ihave termed the second-dial effect. Figs. V and V illustrate equivalentmethods of obtaining the second-dial effect. Fig. VI corresponds withFig. I, but illustrates the means for setting up convection-currents.Fig. VII illustrates what I have termed a practical form, in whichseveral of the features illustrated in the previous drawings arecombined. Fig. VIII illustrates a simple form having a platinum cathode.

Referring to Fig. I, l is a glass vessel hermetically closed at allpoints except at the point 2, Where it is tightly closed-as, for eX-ample, by the ground-glass stopper 3, which stopper for extra safety maybe tied or tastened by any convenient means to prevent its falling outwhen the instrument is turned upside down. et is the electrolyte, whichmay consist of a solution of mercurous nitrate or other suitablesolution. 5 is a pocket in the upper part ot the glass vessel designedto contain a mass of mercury 6, constituting the anode. 7 is a chambercontaining another mass of mercury S, constituting the cathode. 9 isa'tube closed at the bottom and passing up through the cathode-chamberand openinginto the upper part of the vessel, as shown. The glass tube 9is sealed into the upper part of the glass vessel l at the point 10. Ator about the level of the normal surface of the mercury constituting thecathode 8 the vessel 9 has a small tubular extension Il, the bottom ofwhich is partially closed, leaving a small opening l2, into whichextension through the said opening a part I3 of the mercury cathoderises. This tubular extension constitutes, in tact, a separate chamber,hereinafter termed the intermediate chamber. le is the connectingwireleading to the anode, and 15 the connecting-Wire leading to the cathode,the said connecting-wires being conveniently formed of platinum andsealed into the glass. The action is as follows, the instrument beingarranged usuallyin shunt: When current passes, the volume of mercuryconstituting the anode decreases, While the volume of mercuryconstituting the cathode increases, the increase of the cathode being ameasure of the electricity passed. This is ascertained in the followingmanner: As the volume of the cathode increases mercury Will pass fromthe cathode-chamber through the oritice l2 into the intermediate chamberll and iiow over the lip 16 into the tube 9, at the bottom of whichit--will-collect. Tube 9 being graduated or having a scale I7 attachedto or placed beside it, the volume of mercury in the said tube can beread oit by noting the level of its surface, the said level showing theamount of current which has passed since the instrument was' reset. Suchresetting may be obtained by turning the instrument over in thedirection ot' the arrow through half a revolution until it is upsidedown and then onward through the other half of the revolution until itagain reaches its normal position, in which it is shown in the drawings.

The function of-the intermediate chamber is as follows: As is Wellknown, the surface tension of a mass of mercury is so great that as soonas a small quantity can pour over a lip a considerable mass is broughtover after IOO it. Inother words, it flows over not in ,minutequantities, but in considerable blobs, as it is termed. I have foundthat by partitioning off a small part of the mercury by means of what Iterm an intermediate chamber instead of the mercury coming over in largeblobs it may be made to come over in very minute quantities, so as infact to give delicate readings. The intermediate chamber may be of anydesired form and may consist of a mere partitioning olf of a part of themercury or of its chamber. A mere strip of glass, for example, placedclose to the overiow-lip may suffice for the purpose of partitioningoff, so as to' obtain an intermediate chamber.

The object of forming the instrument wholly of glass is to avoid anyjoints atwhich crystallization or eforescen'ce may occ ur'. The placingof the anode above the cathode also serves to prevent the formation ofcrystals at the anode. This formation of crystals is one of thedrawbacks which has hitherto existed in meters of this type. Thisformation of crystals at the anode is due to the electrolyte at thatpoint becoming very rich in mercury, and it is therefore desirable toprovide for the easy iiow of the electrolyte from this point. Thesurface of the mercury being convex, the position of the anode above thecathode allows of such iiow of the enriched part of the electrolyte, asaforesaid. As, however, the anode decreases in bulk such facility of iowwould cease if the level of the mercury fall below the lip 18 (see Fig.Il) ofthe anode-chamber. I therefore provide hat the level of themercuryin the anodechamber shall be kept constant, and for this purposeI eiuploywhatI may term an anodefeeder. This anode-feeder may consist ofany convenient known means of maintaining a constant level of liquid ina vessel, and .I show one means of effecting this in Fig. II. Here Ishow a bulb 19, blown upon the glass vessel l and communicating with theanodechamber. This is filled with mercury, and the action is identicalwith that of an ordinary bird-fountain, except that instead of the waterbeing displaced by air, as in the case of a bird-fountain, the mercuryis here displaced by the electrolyte. I may here state that in practiceI may do away with the opening 2 and stopper 3 by sealing the glass atthis point after the mercury and the electrolyte have been placed inposition. In that case my instrument is hermetically closed throughout,as much so as in an ordinary incandescent electric lamp of thecarbon-filament type. This is shown in Fig. III.

An object of myinvention is to obtain in a mercury electrolytic meterthe equivalent of what I shall term for the purposes of thisspecification a second-dial effect, which effect I shall now proceed todescribe. In ordinary counting mechanism as employed in meters there area series of wheels gearing with one another, and these are so arranged(usually by mounting upon each arbor of the train two toothed wheels ofdierent sizes) that each step, space, mark, or degree of the secondWheel indicates au amount equal to the total number of steps of thefirst Wheel or one revolution thereof. Thus if there be threeindicating-dials, each divided into ten steps or spaces, it is usual forten steps of the first dial to produce or equal one of the second dialand a hundred steps orten complete revolutions of the rst dial toproduce or equal ten steps or one complete revolution of the second dialand one step or one-tenth of a revolution of the third dial. It is ofcourse understood that the revolution of a dial is equivalent to therevolution of an index over a dial or other graduated space. By mypresent invention I am able to obtain in a mercury electrolytic meterthe equivalent of the second dial and in the same way the equivalent ofa third, fourth, or other dial, if desired. In order to make this partof my invention clear, I show b v Way of types or examples in Figs. IVand V of the acccompanying drawings two ways in which this seconddialeffect or equivalent of the second dial of an ordinary counter isobtained.

Fig. IV illustrates a form of my invention hereinbefore described, butadapted to produce the second-dial effect. In this iigure, l is the mainchamber of the meter, containing the electrolyte, 6 is the anode, and Sthe cathode. Increase of the mass of the cathode on passage of thecurrent causes mercury to be transferred to the U-shaped tube 20, whereits height in the two limbs can be read offby the scale 17. 2l is areceptacle connected by a tube 22 with the upper part 23 of the secondlimb of the U-tube 20. 24E is another tube connecting at a point abovethe cathode the main chamber l with the receptacle 2l. The action is asfollows: When sufiicient mercury has passed into the U-tube to risethrough the bend at the point 23, a flushing action of a Well-known kindwill take place, and the whole of the mercury in the tube 2O will flowinto the receptacle 2l, and each time that the U-tube is filled withmercury it will empty itself into the receptacle 21. If a scale, such as25, be attached to or placed beside receptacle 2l, each division ofwhich is equal to the whole space of the U-tube, it will be seen that areading of a true second-dial effect is obtained.

Fig. V illustrates another way of obtaining the second-dial effect. Inthis case numerals l, 6, 8, 17, 20, 2l, and 25 indicate the same partsas in Fig. IV; but the tube 2O instead of being a U-tube is in this casea straight one. This tube 2O is normally maintained in an inclinedposition by a spring or weight or the like and is hinged atany'convenient part. In the precise form illustrated the coiled spring,which also serves as a connecting-wire 26, fulfils the function both ofa hinge and of a spring, retaining the tube IOO IIO

2O in its normal position. When current passes, the mass of mercuryconstituting the cathode 8 is increased and rises along tube 20, whereits height, which is a measure of the current which has passed, can beread off on the scale 17. As soon as a sufficient quantity of mercuryhas been added to the cathode to overcome the spring 26 the tube 20 isdepressed until its free end 27 is lowered sufficiently to tip themercury from tube 2O into receptacle 2l.

It will he obvious that to obtain the true second-dial effect with aninstrument of the form suggested by Fig. V it will he necessary that thecathode-chamber or equivalent of the first dial be iilled full or to thegiven level before tilting and that at each tilting it be emptied or thelevel of mercury be reduced to zero position. To insure this, I arrangethat the said cathode-chamber shall reach a state of unstableequilibrium on becoming full and that before returning to its normalposition it shall empty the whole or the required portion of itscontents. One way of securing this is shown in Fig. Va. Here it will beseen that instead of supporting tube 20, as shown in Fig. II we supportit on a fulcrum 60, and we lead the current to it through a spring 6l,which spring also serves to restore the tube 20 to its normal positionafter it has emptied itself of mercury. This requires some adjustment ofthe spring 6l, so that it shall press the righthand end of the tubedownward with a suflicient pressure only. Such adjustment is easilyobtained by pushing that part of wire Gl which passes through thestopper downward to a greater or less extent.

It is seen that in both Figs. IV and V there is what might be called aprimary measuring-chamber 2l for the large quantities of mercury,corresponding, we may say, to the ten or hundred column, and a secondarymeasuring-chamber 2O communicating therewith, which is more finelycalibrated, correspending to the units-column, which secondary chamberis in each case constructed to empty its entire contents into theprimary chamber at a single operation.

Another result obtained by my present invention is to lessen the chanceof crystallization at the anode, (whether the said anode be placed aboveor below the level of the cathode,) and this I effect by setting upconvection-currents in the electrolyte. Such convection-currents orcurrents generally may be set up by having the an ode above the cathode,thus allowing the enriched electrolyte to flow away from the anode, andthey may be set up by use of a heating resistance. One way of carryingout this part of my invention is shown in Fig. VI, in which 28 is aresistance-wire coiled around that part of the glass receptacle whichcontains the anode 6. Here it will be seen that when current traversessaid resistance 28 heat is generated therein and convection-currents areset up in the electrolyte above the anode. Such convection-currents havethe effect of presenting new surfaces of electrolyte to the surface ofthe anode, and so of preventing stagnation of the electrolyte, with itsaccompanying crystallization, from taking place.

I may combine any two or more of the de.- scribed improvements in anydesired manner. It will be obvious that they are capable of considerablemodication Within the spirit of the invention. Thus in Fig. VII, I showa form of meter embodying details as hereinbefore mentioned andconstituting a practical meter giving excellent results in practice. Inthis form l is the main chamber of the meter, hermetically closed at allpoints except at the point 2,where it is closed by the groundglassstopper 3. 4 is the electrolyte; 5, the anode-chamber containing themercury anode 6; 7, the cathode-chamber containing the mercury cathode8; 11, the intermediate chamber; 20, the U-shaped tube constituting theequivalent of the irst dial; 17, the scale for showing the reading ofthe first dial; 2l, the receptacle constituting the equivalent of thesecond dial; 22, the tube connecting the receptacle with the upper part23 of the second limb of the U-tube; 24, the tube connecting thereceptacle with the main chamber l; 25, the scale for reading off thelevel of the collected mercury iu the receptacle; 28, the heating-wirefor setting up convection-currents to lessen the chance ofcrystallization at the anode; 55, the anode-feeder, consisting in thiscase of a long tube, which tube may be graduated and serves as a checkupon the reading obtained in tube 2O or in tube 2O and receptacle 2l.Such check is not necessary, but is sometimes expedient to adopt for thepurpose of convincing consumers of the accuracy of the registration.This practical form of the instrument need not be further speciiied, asall the features contained in it have already been hereinbefore fullydescribed.

In Fig. VIII, I show a case in which instead of employing a mercurycathode I employ a platinum one. The form given to the platinum is oflittle importance, provided it does not prevent the mercury depositedupon it dropping freely into the collecting-tube. In the caseillustrated the said cathode consists of a hollow coneyof platinum-foil56, placed with its apex downward and with an opening at the said apex.It is manifestthat what I have here called a platinum cathode, which is,in effect, a special case of a mercury cathode, since mercury isdeposited there, can be used in place of the mercury cathodes shown inthe other figures of my drawings. I may here also add that if some othermetallic conducting substance like mercury be employed in my meter itwould be the equivalent of mercury.

The several forms of instrument shown are adapted for resetting byturning upside down. This may be effected in several ways. Oneconvenient way is to mount the instrument IOS IIO

upon a board, as shown at 57 in Fig. I. The said board 57 is pivoted tothe case of the instrument at the point 58, and the mercury can Y bereset by turni ng the board around this'pivot through an angle ofbetween ninety and one hundred and eighty degrees in the direction shownby the arrow. The whole of the mercury will then iiow into the pocket 5,and as the instrument is slowly brought back to its normal positionagain part of the mercury will flow from pocket 5 to the cathode-chamber7. This method of resetting applies to all the forms illustrated.

Having thus described my invention, what I claim, and desire to secureby Letters Patent, is-

1. An electrolytic mercury-meter comprisinga means for setting upcurrents in the electrolyte near the anode whereby that portion of theelectrolyte which has been enriched by mercury is removed from theneighborhood of the anode, substantially as described.

2. An electrolytic meter comprising two electrodes of mercury, the anodebeing placed at a higher level than the cathode for the purpose stated.

3. .An electrolytic mercury-meter comprising two electrodes, one atleast of mercury, the anode being placed at a higher level than thecathode, for the purpose stated.

4. An electrolytic meter comprising two electrodes of mercury, and aheating device for setting up convection-currents in the electrolytenear. the anode for the purpose stated.

5. An electrolytic meter comprising two electrodes, one at least ofmercury, and a heating device for setting up convection-currents in theelectrolyte near the anode, for the purpose stated.

6. An electrolytic meter comprising two electrodes, one at least ofmercury, and an electric-heating resistance for setttng upconvection-currents in the electrolyte near the anode, for the purposestated.v

7. An electrolytic mercury-meter comprising an intermediate chamberinserted in the path of low of the mercury for the purpose of feedingthe mercury in minute quantities, substantially as described.

8. An electrolytic mercury-meter comprising an intermediate chamberinserted in the path of iow of the mercury of the cathode for thepurpose of feeding the mercury in minute quantities, substantially asdescribed.

9. An electrolytic mercury-meter comprising a receptacle for the mercuryanode and a lip or ridge in the path of flow of the mercury of theanode, substantially as described.

10. An electrolytic mercury-meter comprising an anode-chamber and ananode-feeder for supplying mercury thereto, substantially as described.

l1. An electrolytic mercury-meter comprising an anode-chamberand agraduated anodefeeder for supplying mercury thereto, substantially asdescribed.

12. An electrolytic meter comprising a primary measuring-chamber for themercury and a secondary measuring-chamber of more delicate calibrationconnected therewith, substantially as described.

13. An electrolytic mercury-meter comprising a primary measuring-chamberfor the mercury and a secondary measuring-chamber connected thereto andconstructed to empty its entire contents into the primary chamber whenfilled, substantially as described.

14. An electrolytic mercury-meter comprising a primary measuring-chamberand a secondary measuring-chamber in the form of a Siphon-tube connectedtherewith, substantially as described.

l5. An electrolytic mercury-meter comprising the anode and cathodechamber, a primary measuringlchamber, a secondary measuring-chamber inthe form of a Siphon-tube connected with the above-specified chambersand a tube for the flow of the electrolyte connecting the primarymeasuring-chamber with the anode and cathode chamber, substantially asdescribed.

lb'. An electricity-meter comprising a primary measuring-chamber and asecondary measuring-chamber connected thereto and constructed to emptyits entire contents into the primary chamber when filled, substantiallyas described.

17. An electricity-meter comprising a primary measuring-chamber and asecondary measuring-chamber in the form of a Siphontube connectedtherewith, substantially as described.

In witness whereof I have hereunto set my hand in presence of twowitnesses.

ARTHUR WRIGHT. y Witnesses:

JOHN REID DICK, JAMES G. LORRAIN.

IOO

